Emei Sect.
"Master, could it be that the Founder of our Emei Sect is still alive?"
"And moreover, has reached the Half-Step Mythical Realm?"
Many disciples of the Emei Sect looked up at the ranking in the sky, each of them unable to contain their joy.
With the Founder backing them, who would dare to look down on the Emei Sect now?
Even Shaolin Temple and Wudang Sect would no longer dare to underestimate them.
As for other small sects and minor forces, they weren't even worth mentioning!
At the same time, Abbess Mie Jue also found it hard to believe.
Even she was unaware that the Founder of Emei Sect was still alive.
But in the current Emei Sect, there was no trace of such a Founder.
Where could she be?
Heavenly Buddha Ancestral Land!
Could she be there right now?
"Someone, send men immediately to search for the location of the Heavenly Buddha Ancestral Land!"
Abbess Mie Jue was a little excited.
If the Founder were to return, the Emei Sect would undoubtedly rise once more.
They might even rival Shaolin Temple and Wudang Sect!
Take the Wudang Sect for example. Isn't it because Zhang Sanfeng is still alive that they've remained so powerful?
If Zhang Sanfeng were gone, the Wudang Sect might not necessarily be stronger than the Emei Sect!
What Emei Sect lacks is just one figure who can match Zhang Sanfeng.
Abbess Mie Jue thought to herself.
"Master, the Heavenly Buddha Ancestral Land is far too secretive. With Emei Sect's intelligence network, it's nearly impossible to find it!"
"Should we request aid from other martial sects? I've heard that our Founder had a good relationship with True Human Zhang of Wudang Sect. Perhaps he knows where the Heavenly Buddha Ancestral Land is located!"
At this time, an Emei Sect disciple offered a suggestion.
"Absurd. Do you mean to say that you can't even handle something this simple?"
"And now you want to ask Zhang Sanfeng for help? Wouldn't that invite ridicule from the Martial World?"
"If we can't even find a place on our own, what would happen if we encountered a more dangerous threat? Should Emei Sect surrender then?"
"Hmph, Emei Sect will not suffer that kind of disgrace!"
"You only need to search step by step, according to plan!"
"I believe that across the entire Nine Provinces, Emei Sect will not be the only force searching for the Heavenly Buddha Ancestral Land."
"You only need to pay close attention to the news circulating in the Martial World!"
"Yes, Master!"
==========
Yuan Imperial Palace.
Temujin looked at the ranking in the sky, his brows furrowing slightly.
"National Master, this Emei Sect... haven't they always opposed our Yuan Dynasty?"
"And more than once, they've foiled our plans!"
"Yes, Khan. In terms of threats within the Martial World, the Ming Cult used to be the greatest, followed by Wudang Sect, Emei Sect, and others."
"However, compared to the Ming Cult, Emei Sect was like an ant and not even worth mentioning."
"But now that the Golden Ranking has revealed that Founder of Emei Sect is still alive–"
"Emei Sect's threat level will significantly increase once more."
"Forget it. For now, we won't bother with Emei Sect. Whether they are strong or weak is of little relevance to us at this moment."
"The most urgent crisis for the Yuan Dynasty lies with those rebellious sons of mine!"
"Ogedei, Tolui, and that one son I misjudged, Jochi!"
"Each one of them is a wolf in sheep's clothing, each more deeply hidden than the last!"
"National Master, who do you think we should deal with first?"
"Tolui? Or Ogedei?"
"This... Khan, why not Jochi?"
"The threat Prince Jochi poses is no less than Ogedei and Tolui!"
"Jochi? Hah, he is a pawn in my hands. He still has great future use. Though he has surprised me a little, he has not escaped my control."
"But Ogedei and Tolui are different. If given more time, they will surely cause a true split within the Yuan Dynasty."
"I can no longer tolerate them!"
"They must be eliminated as soon as possible, so the Yuan Dynasty can recover its strength."
"I absolutely refuse to accept failure. I still have a chance to unify the Nine Provinces!"
"I am by no means inferior to Zhu Houzhao, Ying Zheng, or Li Shimin!"
As he spoke, Temujin's eyes shone with a chilling light.
After a period of setbacks and blows.
Temujin's aura began to change again.
Gone was his previous decadence and confusion.
An overwhelming ambition surged in his chest.
Below, watching this, Phagpa couldn't help but sigh.
He wasn't sure whether this was a good or bad thing.
Wasn't it too late for Temujin to awaken now?
With someone as cunning as Zhu Houzhao scheming against him, how could the Ming Emperor simply allow the Khan to recover?
He would only intensify the suppression, more ruthlessly than ever.
He hadn't made a move yet only because he wanted to let the Yuan Dynasty destroy itself from within.
The best opportunity had already passed.
Moreover, the Yuan Dynasty would never return to its former glory.
Now, it was surrounded by the Ming Dynasty and the Vast Sea Dynasty, two terrifying dynasties.
Heaven's timing, geographical advantage, human unity.
All three were missing.
In such a situation, how could he possibly turn the tides?
Forget it. All he could do was his part to the best of his ability.
Do his best, leave the rest to fate!
Phagpa had great confidence in himself, but he was not arrogant.
"National Master, have you found the troublemakers who've been constantly stirring chaos within the Yuan Dynasty?"
"I am certain that aside from those rebellious sons, there must be Ming Dynasty's spies behind the scenes fanning the flames and taking advantage of the chaos!"
"These people must be rooted out and killed."
"Otherwise, even if I destroy those traitorous sons, the Yuan Dynasty will suffer severe damage."
"We'll lose all chance of conquering the Nine Provinces!"
"Khan, I have already discovered the one responsible for the Ming Dynasty's spy network this time. It is the Iron Courage Divine Marquis, Zhu Wushi!"
"However, this man is extremely cunning."
"I had multiple chances to capture him, but each time, he managed to escape at the final moment!"
"Now, he's even better hidden than before."
"With the Dark Guard secretly protecting him, my National Master Mansion and the Golden Wolf Hall cannot pinpoint his exact location."
"However, we have captured many spies from other dynasties."
"I have subjected each of them to the most severe punishments."
"Behind Prince Ogedei stands the shadow of the Qin Dynasty."
"Behind Prince Tolui lies the influence of the Tang Dynasty!"
Phagpa spoke slowly, hands clasped in front of him.
"And Jochi? Who is supporting Jochi? Could it be the Ming Dynasty?"
"I don't believe that the Ming Dynasty hasn't secretly 'supported' one of my sons!"
"If I were in Zhu Houzhao's position, I would definitely back one of them in secret."
"Jochi? Ogedei? Or Tolui?"
"Of course, aside from these three, we mustn't lower our guard against any other generals holding military power."
"If the Ming Dynasty supports a top general to stage a rebellion, that wouldn't be impossible either!"
"Your speculation is very likely. Perhaps it's one of them, or even all three. The Ming Dynasty may be playing all sides."
"We cannot afford any negligence."
"I will thoroughly investigate everything. Their schemes will never succeed!"
"Good. With your words, I am at ease."
"Right now, you're the only one I can truly trust!"
Hearing Temujin's seemingly heartfelt words, Phagpa appeared deeply moved.
But inwardly, he scoffed.
Trust?
Was someone like the current Temujin even capable of trust?
Outwardly he said he trusted, but in reality, he had never stopped the surveillance.
It was even more intense than before.
Still, Phagpa didn't mind.
"National Master, with your current strength, can you be ranked on the Buddhist Immortal Ranking?"
"If you could gain the Heaven Dao Reward, how confident are you in advancing to the God Demon Realm?"
"In the Qin Dynasty, Wei Liao has already reached the God Demon Realm. In the Tang Dynasty, it's Yuan Tiangang. In the Sui Dynasty, it's Yuwen Tuo. In the Ming Dynasty, it's Dark One from the Dark Guard."
"If you fall too far behind, the Yuan Dynasty will also be affected!"
"Khan, rest assured. I am already very close to the God Demon Realm."
"As long as I encounter the right opportunity, I will definitely break through!"
"I will not let Khan down!"
He had already done all he could for the Yuan Dynasty.
Now, Phagpa was devoting more and more time and energy to his own cultivation realm.
His old rivals had all advanced to higher realms.
He did not have the luck of the Ming Dynasty's Dark One and could only forcefully push his way through.
Fortunately, Phagpa was extraordinarily talented.
After much effort, he had finally found the path to the God Demon Realm.
No longer was the road ahead obscure like before.
"Good. I await your good news."
==========
Shaolin Temple.
Great Hero Hall.
At this moment, all the high monks of Shaolin Temple were gathered with somber expressions.
"Abbot, what should we do now?"
"Shaolin Temple, Wudang Sect, and Emei Sect, let's not even speak of Wudang Sect. Now even Emei Sect is about to surpass us!"
"If this continues, Shaolin Temple's prestige will be completely ruined!"
"We are the Shaolin Temple, the Martial World's cornerstone, yet we haven't even appeared on a single ranking. How can we face this shame?"
"More and more cultivators are looking down on Shaolin Temple."
"If we don't have a single representative on the Buddhist Immortal Ranking, we'll become the laughingstock of the entire Nine Provinces!"
"Amitabha. Brothers, please calm yourselves."
"The Founder of Emei Sect is still alive and has become one of the people of the Heavenly Buddha Ancestral Land."
"Tell me, could it be that our Shaolin Temple's Founder Dharma is also still alive?"
"This... Abbot, isn't that a bit far-fetched?"
"Founder Dharma lived hundreds of years ago. Could he really still be alive?"
"Why not? Haven't we already seen beings like Di Shitian, the Longevity Immortal God, the Demon Lord, and others appear on the ranking?"
"And Yin Zhong from Sword Control Manor, all of them are in God Demon Realm."
"They lived hundreds, even thousands of years ago."
"If they can live until now, why not Founder Dharma?"
"Compared to them, Founder Dharma would only be even more powerful!"
"Against Founder Dharma, mere Zhang Sanfeng or the Founder of Emei Sect are nothing!"
"As long as Founder Dharma is still alive, our Shaolin Temple will never decline!"
"In fact, we'll become even more prosperous!"
The monks in the hall, hearing this, each had a gleam of light in their eyes.
Truth be told, it was indeed possible.
At the same time, a strong sense of anticipation filled their hearts.
If they really entered the ranking, it would surely be a guaranteed top-three placement!
By then, who in the Nine Provinces would dare look down on Shaolin Temple?
Buzz!
Just as the monks were deep in thought.
In the sky, the Buddhist Immortal Ranking suddenly radiated a brilliant light.
And then.
Lines of new text began to refresh!
All the monks exchanged glances, eyes filled with anticipation!